El Burro opens today

El Burro will open today at 1108 Federal St. on the North Side. It's a taqueria co-owned by Derek Burnell of Round Corner Cantina and Wes DeRenouard.

"The North Side is an interesting, up-and-coming area," said Mr. DeRenouard, citing the renovation of the Garden Theater and revitalization plans for the neighborhood. "It's a close-knit community."

Mr. DeRenouard and Mr. Burnell renovated the space that had been Toula's Hot Dogs with the help of funds from Urban Redevelopment Authority's streetface program.

The partners are from San Diego, where border-style taco shops abound. "More street food, more hard tacos and burritos," is how Mr. DeRenouard characterizes food at a Southern California taqueria. "The salsas are brighter. The hot sauces are different. There is less cheese and definitely no cheese sauces," he said.

Mr. DeRenouard believes El Burro will fill a niche. "There isn't much Mexican like this in the area and there's none on the North Side," he said.

El Burro will open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will soon offer take out (412-904-3451).

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